Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told U.S. Vice President Joe Biden that only a credible military threat can deter Iran from building a nuclear weapon, Israeli political sources told news agencies.

Netanyahu and Biden met on the sidelines of an American Jewish conference in New Orleans that both are due to address.

Later, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters he "would disagree that only a credible military threat would convince Iran to take the actions it needs to end its nuclear weapons program."

The West believes that Iran aims to use its uranium enrichment program to build atomic weapons, and both Israel and the United States have said all options are on the table in dealing with its nuclear ambitions.